Business

Carmello’s and Monza of Historic Manassas, Va. are asking the public to drop off non-perishable foods at their restaurants to support SERVE of Manassas, Va., a local homeless shelter, now through Nov. 30. Each person that brings in at least five cans, will get one voucher for 10 percent off their next individual meal at Carmello’s or Monza, good through Dec. 31, 2018. Voucher is only valid for food, beverages excluded. For information, go to www.carmellos.com or www.eatmonza.com.

“Thanksgiving for us, is a time to give back,” said Alice Pires, owner of Carmello’s and Monza of Historic Manassas, Va. “We appreciate the public helping us make Thanksgiving that much more abundant for those in need,” said Pires.

Northern Virginia owners, George and Linda Meyers, of Cook in Tuscany, Cook in Mexico and Cook in Cuba debuted ‘Cook, Eat, Play, Travel’, their online, video diary of their worldwide travels and journeys. They are always asked about life “outside” of their culinary tours in Tuscany, Mexico and Cuba, so they started documenting their adventures. Named one of the top 15 Foodie Destinations by USA Today, the Meyers created Cook, Eat, Play, Travel to allow people around the world to experience some of their culinary travel adventures online. To view or learn more, go to www.cookeatplaytravel.com.

BASIS Independent McLean (BIM) started its second year with a new administrative team, including BIM’s Associate Head of School, Ron Kim, formerly of Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and Director of Student Affairs for Upper School, and Tiffany Conroy, coming from St. Anne’s School in Annapolis, Md. The private school has more than doubled its enrollment since its inaugural year in 2016. Go to http://mclean.basisindependent.com for more information or call 703.854.1253.

LearningRx Reston, Va. and Vienna, Va., brain training centers were presented with a top, 2017 Customer Service Award at the company’s national convention held in Colorado Springs, Colo. The award is given to centers that have shown a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. For more information, go to www.learningrx.com.

Reston, Va. and Vienna, Va. brain training centers averaged an overall score of 9.5 out of 10 for all clients that trained in the centers over the last year.To determine customer satisfaction, LearningRx uses a 10-point scale and asks clients (or their parents) the likelihood they would recommend LearningRx to a friend. The 10-point measurement of customer loyalty also works as a system to increase customer satisfaction.

“We love what we do…and we’re thrilled to be able to help others achieve their goals through brain training,” said Maureen Loftus, executive director of LearningRx of Vienna and Reston, Va.

Carmello’s offers more than 100 Portuguese wines from Portuguese regions, such as Alentejo, Douro, Doa, Estremadura and Vinho Verde, and presents one of the largest Portuguese wine lists in the United States.

“We’re always excited to be selected by Wine Spectator magazine; we have a passion for good wine, and we like to share that passion with our customers,” said Alice Pires, owner of Carmello’s and Monza of Historic Manassas, Va.

Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) of Alexandria Va. recently revealed its newly constructed Black Box Theatre, perfect for intimate dance, music and theatre performances, seating 130. Costing $140,000 to build, MSA received an anonymous gift of $60,000 to help with the cost of the theatre. Go to www.metropolitanarts.org for more information.

“We are the only Alexandria performing arts space to offer this type of theater for public use in Alexandria,” said Melissa Dobbs, founder and executive director of Metropolitan School of the Arts of Alexandria, Va. “Other performing arts groups can also take advantage of this space through rental options, as we encourage more performing arts opportunities in the greater Alexandria area,” said Dobbs.

Maureen Loftus, executive director of LearningRx of Vienna and Reston, Va. hosted the 24th Annual Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce Stars event with 42 students attending from 21 Fairfax County area schools for their positive achievements and significant improvements. For more information, go to www.learningrx.com.

More than 130 attendees joined the event, including Jay Pearson, executive principal, Region 2, Fairfax County Public Schools and Maureen Loftus, youth and education chair for the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce. Each year, the Tysons Regional Chamber partners with area schools to celebrate and honor selected students who deserve recognition for positive potential or significant improvements. The Chamber Stars event celebrates the accomplishment of students who have persevered despite significant obstacles or personal struggles.